Dear Partners in Mission:

Last Sunday we heard Matthew’s version of the Beatitudes. Jesus’ words of blessing for those the world does not normally bless. A reminder that he lived in an age of Empire in an occupied Palestine. Jesus knew very well what imperial peace was, it was the Pax Romana, brought on by domination and submission. His words then were protest then as they are in our time. Living as we do in a nation torn by division and violence. Violence that hits close to home for many of us, but as always, some more than others.

For the last weeks I have observed with varying degrees of dismay and outright anger the situation created in Minneapolis by the outsized presence of ICE. A situation that is closer to home because of family and colleagues we live and work in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota experiencing this firsthand. U.S. Citizens murdered in the street, neighbors legally seeking asylum taken walking from the school bus.  But regardless of who I know there, whatever city this would be happening in, Jesus’ words of blessing are a stark rebuke to this act of violence and force by our government.

Fifty six years ago this May four students at Kent State were murdered by National Guard troops as they protested US involvement in Vietnam. Instead of listening to the concerns of the students. the government chose to escalate the opportunity for violence by sending armed men onto campuses including at Kent State. In that time the murder of those students, young people exercising their rights to protest, created outrage and shock across the country.

The actions of ICE across Minnesota and in our own communities should bring similar outrage today. This is not blessed action but instead action intending to create fear and distrust. I encourage you to listen to the voices of neighbors, to call your senators and representatives and encourage them to stop this government overreach. To be God’s blessed people seeking peace and justice. Knowing the foolishness of God is the power of the life giving cross in which we find our hope and assurance.

Juntos en mision,

Bishop Gronberg